Published October 28, 2009 09:57 pm - The great fear of issuing warnings is that those who need the warning won’t see it. Which brings us to Halloween.
Editorial: Watch out for kids this Halloween
The great fear of issuing warnings is that those who need the warning won’t see it.
Which brings us to Halloween.
We think there’s more to consider this year when reveling in, perhaps, America’s oddest holiday.
First, some tips for parents and kids from the Indiana State Police and Anderson Police Department:
* Trick-or-treat hours are 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Parents should travel with their young children.
* Keep costumes short to prevent trips and falls. Wear light colors or put reflective tape on a costume. Attach your child’s name, address, and phone number to the inside of the costume.
* Try makeup instead of a mask. Masks can obstruct vision, which makes tasks like crossing the street and going up and down stairs dangerous.
* Make sure older children trick-or-treat with friends. Together, map out a safe route so parents know where they will be.
* Instruct children to stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on.
* Trick-or-treat while it’s still light out. If children are out after dark, make sure they have flashlights and travel on well lighted streets.
* Do not enter the homes or cars of strangers.
* Don’t eat treats until they get home and check out all treats at home in a well-lighted place. Eat only unopened candies in original wrappers. Inspect fruits for anything suspicious.
Now, let’s look at another side — the one that affects you, if you’re an adult reader.
Halloween falls on a Saturday this year. Goblins will be out until late. People tend to drink alcohol more on weekends.
In 2008, 58 percent of all highway fatalities across the nation on Halloween night (6 p.m. Oct. 31 to 5:59 a.m. Nov. 1) involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.